FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
27 October 2022
CONTACT:
Meghan Savaglia, Press Office Director
press@asm.wisc.edu
262.441.1041
ASM Internal Budget Introduction, Color of Drinking Task Force Formed
MADISON, WI — This Wednesday, October 26th, the Associated Students of Madison met to discuss various pieces of legislation relating to the UHS Color of Drinking Survey, ASM wage increases for the following fiscal year, and more.
To begin, members of the Student Council received a presentation from University Health Services surrounding the history of the UHS Color of Drinking Survey. Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Executive Director of UHS Jake Baggot, Director of Campus Health Initiatives and Prevention Services Amanda Jovaag and Health Equity Data Analyst Reonda Washington presented on the survey, which is aiming to release for a third round this academic year. Results of the first & second surveys included important information surrounding microaggressions against students of color on campus, and a tie-in of alcohol with racial climate on campus. Presenters showed support for ASM legislation creating the Color of Drinking Task Force, a proposed ASM committee aimed at utilizing Color of Drinking Survey results to inform ASM campaigns. Legislation creating the Color of Drinking Task Force was approved by unanimous consent later in the meeting. More information on The Color of Drinking Survey can be viewed here.
Next, Legislative Affairs Chair MGR Govindarajan presented information and feedback from ASM Shared Governance leaders on the upcoming Free Speech Survey created by the UW-Stout Menard Center. Responses to the feedback from the Free Speech Survey research team was also shared with Student Council members.
New legislation beyond the Color of Drinking Task Force included Section 8 Bylaw Adjustments and Wage Compensation Increases. Section 8 Bylaw amendments were presented after the Section 8 Redrafting Subcommittee reviewed the Section 8 Bylaws over the summer and beginning of the fall semester. These adjustments, which require two votes by the Student Council, were approved. Two other pieces of legislation were considered, beginning with the Wage Compensation Increase Exemption. Current ASM bylaws state that increases to ASM wages for the following fiscal year cannot exceed 15%. ASM leaders identified the need for ASM wages to increase from $12 to $15, to match other campus employment centers such as the Wisconsin Union and UW Housing and Dining. This exemption passed, as well as the official legislation to increase the ASM wage from $12 to $15.
The next ASM Student Council Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 9th at 6:30 p.m. at the Student Activities Center at 333 East Campus Mall.
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-- Associated Students of Madison: Meghan Savaglia